Should Billy Koumetio or Rhys Williams start for Liverpool?
The Reds play Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on Thursday and will rotate their squad for the clash.
We saw Rhys Williams start the previous cup game, the 7-2 win over Lincoln City, but could it be time for Billy Koumetio?
You could argue that Williams only started because Koumetio picked up a light injury prior to the Lincoln game, and he impressed.
With Joel Matip out injured and just a three day break for Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk, there’s a high chance Klopp will pick an Academy player to give his senior men a break before the Aston Villa game on Sunday.
There’s a strong argument to be held for keeping consistency in selection and that would mean choosing Williams. He played well during his Liverpool debut, and although Arsenal will be a whole different kettle of fish, he should be given the chance to impress.
However, Koumetio has trained with the first team and appeared during preseason. Klopp was clearly impressed with the big Frenchman and he looked ready to feature against Lincoln – before injury struck.
He played in the last U18 game and appears to be working his way back to full fitness, while assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders said Koumetio has a ‘clear pathway’ to the first team.
Playing in a Carabao Cup game would definitely constitute that pathway.
Fitness issues could make the different, though. Williams got through the 90 minutes against Lincoln, while Koumetio missed out and was only able to get 60 minutes under his belt during his latest game.
Playing against Arsenal would be a massive call for an undercooked youngster making his professional debut.
Does this come down to talent, the pathway or fitness? With Liverpool, it’ll probably be a little bit of all three but Williams should start because he’s the man in possession, did well against Lincoln and is in better physical shape.